Preparing for a semester abroad or a summer session in the Netherlands is associated with little bureaucratic effort. EU citizens, Swiss citizens and students from EEA member states do not need a visa or residence permit to study in the Netherlands. However, if you are staying for a longer period in our modern western neighbor, it is advisable to register with the local registration office.
Citizens of EU member states
In the Schengen area, citizens of the member states can move freely between the associated countries with a valid identity card or passport. For EU citizens, only valid identification documents are required to enter the Netherlands, a country located in Europe according to elaineqho.
For a stay of up to four months, students from EU countries do not need a residence permit to study in the Netherlands. Those who stay longer, e.g. for a semester abroad, register with the Dutch registration office in order to be more accessible for the university, for example. The office then stores data such as name and address in the basic registration of persons (BRP). The registration is free and also allows you to work alongside your studies to cushion the cost of living in the Netherlands.
Information on staying in the Netherlands
If you are staying in the Netherlands for a longer period of time to study, it is advisable to register with the local municipality. After moving to the new accommodation, the route leads to the responsible police station or to the residents’ registration office. To register, students must present a valid identity card, a copy of the rental agreement and an international birth certificate. In some cases, the office needs further documents such as the approval from the Dutch university.
Study in Holland provides detailed information on the requirements for studying in the Netherlands. This is an information platform from EP-Nuffic, a Dutch non-profit organization for internationalization in the higher education sector.
By registering in the Netherlands, students receive an individual burger service number (BSN) that uniquely identifies them with public institutions and authorities. This number is required, for example, by the hospital for treatment or by the Dutch employer.
In the Netherlands, students have the opportunity to work ten hours a week during the lecture period. A full-time position is permitted during the semester break in the summer months. EU citizens, Swiss citizens and students from EEA member states do not need a residence permit or work permit. A prerequisite is health insurance, which EU citizens can usually prove with the European health insurance card.
Visa and entry requirements of Holland
As a citizen of an EU member state, entry into the Netherlands is possible at any time with a valid identity card or passport. If you are staying for more than 90 days, an application for a residence permit must be submitted to the local police station or immigration authority. Moving into an apartment in the Netherlands must be reported to the respective municipality and the Gemeentelijke Basis Administratie after five days at the latest. A valid identity card, a copy of the rental agreement and an international birth certificate are required for registration.
Academic Year in the Netherlands
Studies at universities in the Netherlands are largely standardized in terms of lecture times. The academic year usually starts on September 1st and ends on August 31st. An academic year in the Netherlands is divided into two semesters, which in turn are divided into blocks. The exact number and duration of the teaching units varies depending on the university. There are no courses across the country on public holidays such as King’s Day or St Nicholas’ Eve.
An academic year in the Netherlands is usually divided into four to five blocks of several weeks. Each block usually lasts ten weeks. During the time of college, students attend seminars and lectures. Then they prepare for the upcoming exams during the study week. At many Dutch universities there are two-week exams at the end of each block. This means that the learning material is well distributed over the entire academic year.
Semester system in the Netherlands
The semester system is common at universities in the Netherlands. The universities determine the exact dates of the lecture period and the examination periods. A semester of around 20 weeks is common. In addition, there are no courses during the summer months of July and August, but special summer sessions.
